Tag: book review

“I looked down the row of Aska hunched against each other, ducking behind the muddy hill. The fog sat on the field like a veil, but we could hear it. The blades of swords and axes brushing against armor vests. Quick footsteps in sucking mud. My heart beat almost in rhythm with the sounds, pulling one breath in and letting it touch another before I let it go.”

This book was so captivating. Adrienne Young did a fantastic job of creating characters who were both compelling and complex, and scenery that was vivid and detailed.

“Love takes so much energy, and it just leads to pain. I think it’s probably best for people to be self-sufficient. If I was strong enough to be independent, then I wouldn’t be so desperately lonely, I’m sure of it. I just want someone who holds on. Someone who won’t ever let me go, whatever tries to tear us apart. Is that too much to ask?”

Absolutely phenomenal. This book drew me in so quickly and really captured my attention, and as someone who’s been going through somewhat of a reading dry spell, that’s saying something. Easily a new favorite.

Half Bad by Sally Green is set in a modern day world in which witches live secretly alongside human beings (known as fains). In this world you are born either a White witch (who are perceived as good) or a Black witch (who are bad, of course), or in the main character’s case, you are both. Black witches are hunted down and killed by law, so you can imagine that Nathan’s life is heavily regulated. He’s beaten, kept in a cage, and mistreated all around. For me this book showcased the heavy prejudices that society can develop across any spectrum. Being a white or black witch shouldn’t mean you’re automatically good or bad, it should be about your innate character. In fact, many of the White witches showcased were anything but good. The lengths they went to to abuse Nathan were appalling. But they were backed by their excuse that what they did was for the greater good. But I wonder how the Black witches would behave if they were treated with human decency and allowed to live and thrive. I don’t blame them for all they have to do to just survive. I’d always be on the defensive too if I were them. Ms. Green’s book read like an allegory for real life prejudice in our world today and in the past. Speaking specificaly about racism, it’s always something: The mass murdering of Native American people, the Holocaust, and the treatment of Muslim people today are just a few things that ring a bell.

Since joining the bookstagram community, I’ve been asked many times for recommendations of indigenous authors to check out. I’m always happy to, because I absolutely love sharing my favorites and what’s on my shelf waiting to be read. So after much stage fright, I finally did a live video where I discussed authors. I think it went pretty well… even though I was shaking in my boots. I want to thank all my viewers for tuning in and having fun with me. You made it all worth it. Anyways! This is a compilation of all the authors and books that were discussed in the livestream. At the end of the list, you will find a list of memoirs (per the request of Martina, AKA @mamalovestoread on instagram!) If you have any questions about them, definitely shoot me a message on here or at my instagram (@Erins_library). Without further ado… here we go!

“The screech of metal and an airlock venting behind us alerted us to the arrival of the transport. George held me tighter. It was like I was home. But home wasn’t forever. Sometimes you had to leave. I knew that in my heart. I broke away, wiping a stray tear with a callused index finger. Crying was no way to start an adventure.”

Sci-Fi Jane eyre coming at you! Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for approving me for this book! I loved it!

“I shove the horrible, screaming images in my head into the dark, silent place in my mind that is getting deeper and more crowded each day. One day soon, the things I stuff in there will burst out and infect the rest of me. Maybe that will be the day the daughter becomes like the mother. Until then, I am still in control.”